Celebrating Lent and Easter
Way of the Cross
SISTERS IN THE SPIRIT OF HOUSTON at St. Francis of Assisi
Lent is a season in the year that invites believers into a focused time of reflection, renewal, and preparation. Lent is a journey toward Easter and a time of new beginnings and spiritual growth.
The Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross) is a Lenten devotion honoring Jesus’ Passion through 14 traditional scenes, often prayed on Fridays and Good Friday. The Stations enable believers to walk with Jesus to Calvary, meditating on his sacrifice. (www.radiantmagazine.com)
Different ministries are assigned to host the Stations of the Cross on each Friday evening during Lent. On Friday, March 13, 2026, the Sisters in the Spirit at St. Francis of Assisi paired with the Associate Missionaries of Saint Paul to lead this devotion. Participation entailed serving as a cross bearer, candle bearers and readers. The leaders processed through each of the Stations of the Cross with the congregation prayerfully responding and singing. This year, we are using THE WAY OF THE CROSS¹ compiled and composed from biblical texts, and the basis for Scripture used is the Confraternity Douay version. A plenary indulgence may be gained by praying the Stations of the Cross, sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father. St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is a pilgrim site during this Franciscan Jubilee Year, and we appreciate the additional devotional focus on our spiritual health and growth.
The Sisters In the Spirit of Houston from St. Francis of Assisi invite you to join us as we offer prayers of faith, hope and love for all as we continue our journey to a Glorious Easter Sunday!
¹The Way of the Cross, Compiled and composed from biblical texts. Published by Barton Cotton, 3030 Waterview Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230 1-800-638-46
SIS Brenda Reder James and Joyce Page are parishioners of St. Matthias Catholic Church in
Magnolia Texas.
Lent is a very busy time for the Catholic Church. St. Matthias is no different. We look forward to the traditional Lenten Friday evening fried fish dinners where community gathers and enjoy good food and company. Afterwards we attend Stations of the Cross. Lent is all about reflection and renewal, and Stations are a great way to “walk with Jesus on his way to Calvary.”
To encourage even more participation, different ministries lead the stations each week. Each ministry has their own twist to leading the Stations. The OCIA candidates and catechumens also participate! It’s their first opportunity to serve the parish and they look forward to it. Our youth are particularly creative in the past by doing live Stations and recently they have written a meditation for each station drawing on their perspective as teens.
After Stations of the Cross, we look forward to a presentation on The Last Seven Words of Jesus.
Bishop Sheen stated, “the most notable messages of Jesus were his first and last sermons which He
delivered to mankind. The first sermon was when he gave us the Beatitudes on the mountainside. The pulpit of His last message was the Cross; the audience: saints and sinners; the sermon was the Seven Last Words. … every word He says to them is set down for the purpose of an eternal publication and an undying consolation. There was never a preacher like the dying Christ. There was never a congregation like that which gathered about the pulpit of the Cross. There was never a sermon like the Seven Last Words.”
Different deacons and parishioners present one word each week. The parishioners look forward to each reflection which gives us an opportunity to appreciate the deep spirituality of each presenter-encouraging us on our Lenten journey. We get a fresh understanding each year because everyone’s insight is different.
Our Annual Lenten Day of Retreat was on March 14, 2026. The facilitator was Monsignor Leonard Pivonka
who is a member of the Marian Movement of Priest. The theme of the day was Conversion. Monsignor shared that conversion is not one and done but an ongoing and daily process of turning towards God and away from sin and selfishness. Conversion calls us to grow in faith, to live out our faith through our relationship with God and others, and to fully participate in the life of the Church.
Conversion calls us to be open to God’s presence and grace in our lives and to become more aware of the needs of others by living our lives as Christians who are guided by Christ’s message when making daily decisions. He encouraged daily prayers, reading Scripture, going to the sacraments, reading the lives and writings of the saints and to look to the words and actions of our Blessed Mother to guide us in doing God’s will as ways to deepen our faith. Monsignor frequently quoted from the writings of St Catherine of Sienna during his talks.
We are ramping up for Holy Week and looking forward to our 3rd annual 100 hours of Adoration beginning on Palm Sunday until Holy Thursday to allow time to appreciate this most Holy Liturgical time of the Year. The Tridiuum will culminate with a huge celebration as we welcome over 70 new Catechumens and Candidates into our parish at the Easter vigil!
SIS Brenda Reder James and Joyce Page are very involved in all things concerning Adult Faith Formation. We are so blessed to serve and support Father Christopher Ngugyen and the great team of supportive staff and willing parishioners.
We would like to wish each of you and all your loved ones a very Happy and Holy Easter!
